Feb. 15, 2019—Nearly 1 in 5 fifth-graders has experienced a violent injury—mostly from guns or knives, a new study shows.
Researchers looked at data from 4,300 students when they were in the fifth, seventh, and 10th grades in public schools in and around three major U.S. cities.
And the odds of getting hurt only grew as children got older. One in 3 high school students sustained a gunshot, stabbing wound or assault that needed medical attention.
But it wasn't just the scale of the violence that surprised researchers. This finding did too: Bullies were the most likely to get seriously hurt—not their victims. And over a quarter of those injuries were caused by guns.
How bullies become victims
These surprising findings suggest several things, the researchers said. First, bullying may often not be violent enough for victims to be severely hurt. Second, bullies may participate in risky behaviors besides bullying—and those behaviors may escalate with age. They may include joining gangs and using drugs and alcohol.
The study also found that:
- Boys were over 22 percent more likely than girls to have violent injuries.
- Black children were 30 percent more likely to be injured than those of other race or ethnic groups.
- Children from lower income families were also more vulnerable.
Injuries are a leading cause of death for school-age children nationwide. This study underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies that target specific children, the researchers emphasized.
The study appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
If your child bullies
What can you do if you find out that your child is picking on other kids? Here's advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Help your child understand how bullying hurts other children. Give real-life examples of the results of your child's actions.
- Be a positive role model. Treating others with respect will encourage your child do the same.
- Set firm—and consistent—limits on aggressive behavior. Help your child learn that bullying is never OK.
- Discipline effectively. Try a loss of privileges or other non-physical discipline. Also take the time to explain why a behavior is wrong and how your child can change it.